The Fashion Brigade of HT City recently spotted girl students from different African countries in ‘Punjabi suits’ at Punjab College of Technical Education, Ludhiana.
Interacting with them clearly proved that it is not only music and food from Punjab that captivates foreigners but Punjabi fashion too. Despite most of them having arrived in India just a few months ago, they are enthralled with Punjabi attire.
“We got inspired from some of our classmates who often wear it. Most of us were left spellbound by various colours and designs; the dupattas and most importantly that they seemed very comfortable”, shared Behorniche Namuongala on behalf of everyone, while Aimerance added that when they shop for suits in the local markets, both shopkeepers and other Indian buyers get very excited. “I usually buy readymade suits from local Ghumar Mandi. There is so much variety that I often get baffled in making a choice. Many a times, Punjabi women buying suits from the same shop have helped me make a good choice and have always appreciated me for buying suits”, expresses she.
When it comes to colours
and designs, they say, they love every colour but suits with floral prints are their favourite. Several of them also buy suits for gifting to their mothers and sisters in their respective home countries. “We have personally taken many of our African classmates to several markets of Ludhiana from where they either take readymade suits or get suits stitched for their mothers and sisters.
This shows their love for Punjabi suits, on other hand, most Punjabi girls have shockingly started avoiding western wear”, expressed Gaganpreet Kaur and Satwinderjeet Kaur who hail from Ludhiana.
As we approached Kretha T Mbambo who has completed around two years at the institution, she told us an interesting story. “I feel lucky that I am in India that is flooded with so many cultures. Few years before, my father also lived in India as an ambassador of Namibia in the embassy in New Delhi.
This shows their love for Punjabi suits, on other hand, most Punjabi girls have shockingly started avoiding western wear”, expressed Gaganpreet Kaur and Satwinderjeet Kaur who hail from Ludhiana.
As we approached Kretha T Mbambo who has completed around two years at the institution, she told us an interesting story. “I feel lucky that I am in India that is flooded with so many cultures. Few years before, my father also lived in India as an ambassador of Namibia in the embassy in New Delhi.
I often visited him and he would daily talk about the greatness of India. His words inspired me due to which I took admission in India and now fell in love not only with Punjabi suits, but also with Punjabi music and food”, said Mbambo.
Finally as we asked them if given a choice to work and settle down in India after marriage, will they take this opportunity? Yes, they remarked, explaining that after all, they were in love with India and its culture, so why not?